I would say as a pure passer, Jackson is about as good as Darnold (and not as good as Mahomes or Watson). But add in the best rushing ability in the league (and maybe even in league history) to overload defenses, along with a loaded roster and great coaching, and you get an MVP season.
Jackson was always a little under-rated as a passer at Lousiville. He has a strong arm, similar to Darnold, and iffy mechanics again similar to Darnold. He throws sidearm at times and it is amazing how much velocity he can get on a ball with just a flick of his wrist. Strong arm, iffy mechanics, sidearm, sub-60% percentage in college, all of that added up to a head-scratcher around the draft. If Darnold hadn't been well above 60% in a pro set at USC he would have faced the exact same situation. I don't however understand how anybody could have valued Josh Allen above Jackson. That was a comparison that was never in doubt for me. I'd have take Jackson over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
TLDR Running QB’s are awesome but eventually dead in the NFL grind elusive running QB’s (aka Wilson) are the future if Lamar develops the passing game he will win 2-3 Super Bowls otherwise he is RG3 in the making fun and happy and polarizing but one Ngata hit away.....
Ngata. Funny you say that name when he destroyed Mark Sanchez and probably really injuried him going forward. Wasnt Mark a pocket passer? Interesting how that theory about running QBs mean nothing.
They are both very unique passers with lower body mechanic flaws that will be a distant memory. They will be the best from this class cause they both play backyard ball but have the NFL level intellect to adapt their game. Both have always had excellent touch on the ball, but the lower mechanics interestingly enough both very poor at times. A lot of similar characteristics from a passing perspective if you think about it. Darnold, a better thrower on the run then Lamar, as that's his game. Lamar doesnt take advantage as much as you'd want but he should incorporate that into his game as he matures.
Agree with this. I'd also add in that I'd like to see Darnold run a little bit more. There were times this year when he could've gotten first downs or good yardage by just keeping it and instead threw it, and not always for completions. I hope this is a part of his game he expands.
From what I've seen, the safest style is a pocket passer who gets the ball out quickly (e.g. Brady, Brees, Goff as a younger example). The worst is a dual threat QB who doesn't know how to protect himself (e.g. RG3, Newton may go down that road). But as long as Jackson tries to avoid hits, I don't think his style is any riskier than a pocket passer who likes to extend plays (e.g. Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Luck). Having said that, my long-term concern with Jackson isn't just injuries. It's that in several years from now, he's going to lose that speed. Hopefully for his sake, he's aware of that and improves his passing so by the time he gets to that point, he can win as a passer.
OK. Doesn't change anything. QBs get hurt and when you lack the awareness to know Lamar avoids hits unlike RG3 then you really have no legs to stand on. "Just you wait 101! When he misses a game I'm reposting!!!"
One word I could describe Lamar as is humble. In due time, I think he'll be more of a polished passer. Hes definitely light years ahead of his Heisman days. I really cant stand when others compare him to RG3 because he had no regard for his body when he ran the ball.
I don't think he has much regard for his body. Lamar Jackson takes a lot of hits. The difference is that he's much more elusive than RG3 so he takes shots to the upper body and ribs rather than being torpedoed. RG3 used to get hit in the lower body a lot because he didn't slidestep those hits well. He will get hurt at some point. All running QB's do. Cam Newton missed almost all season, but also took a step back last year because his injuries piled up. The question will be 1) if he can avoid the devestating RG3 ACL injury that makes him tentative and 2) if he can evolve into a Russell Wilson style passer as he enters his 30s. I think Jackson's built a little but stronger too. As far as a passer though he improved every year at Louisville. His accuracy and completion percentage continues to go up. He's obviously improved into his second year in the NFL. He will need to get better when his rushing ability declines. I don't get why it's such a huge knock that his running opens up the passing game and makes throws easier/guys more open. Until that goes away, it's not a negative.
I don't think Jackson will have a problem with injuries. He runs like a running back in the open field. We aren't talking about Le'veon Bell will "obviously get hurt" also, he's a better passer than people give him credit for anyway. You'd think Jets fans of all people would realize that. How many touchdowns passes did he have against the Jets? 5 or something? and he didn't break a sweat. it was easy.
Lamar doesn't take nearly the type of hits RG3 took his first two years in the league. RG3 would legitimately welcome contact, where-as Lamar avoids it. He is much smarter in that regard. Lamar actually slides and goes out of bounds ... QBs in this league get hurt, pocket passers, runners, etc. A lot of QBs get hurt in the pocket too. Cam had a shoulder injury, I do not have the extent on how he got injured, was it due to running or was it in the pocket? I am not sure.
He had the shoulder injury that limited his ability to throw down field and then a lisfranc injury in his foot. He was beaten to shit. He takes a lot more hits and abuse than any other quarterback in this league I've ever seen. He's also 250 so it's a little bit of a different case. I don't know, man. I've seen Lamar Jackson take some absolute licks this year. I think he just protects his legs better than RG3 does because RG3 was more of a straight line sprinter. There's a reason the shelf life of NFL runningbacks is only until they're 28-30. Jackson has 323 rushes in two seasons. That's essentially one full season as an NFL runningback on his mileage. It doesn't mean he can't be extremely successful. But it means he will have to adjust his game. I watched some of the 2014 NFC championship game replay on NFL Network last night while there was nothing on. Early career Russell Wilson was fast but he literally never even got tackled.
Yeah, I dont have much details on how Cam injured himself, but he also would welcome contact just like RG3. The hardest hit I saw Lamar take was from Hewitt when he broke the QB record against us. Hewitt got him pretty good. Lamar toys with you on the field, makes you miss. He takes a few hits, but not nearly as bad as RG3. Lamar slides and goes out of bounds to avoid those hits. Lamar I think is just a tougher player too.
I freakin loved RG3 his rookie year. I thought I was watching the next great NFL QB. I kinda feel that way with Jackson, but it doesn't blow me away like it did with RG3.
I'm not as sure the biggest concern is his injuries. It is definitely a bigger possibility than as a pocket passer. He puts himself in that situation more. That said I also think if you look at good qb besides breed, their offenses evolve. For instance, Brady went from throwing to moss, down the field. Then to Welker to Gronk. Both short pass option with different styles obviously. Also they had a run game after that for a little bit when Gronj began to decline. And replace Walker with Edelman. They had always relied on the receivers to make the plays but in different ways. The big question us will he be able to adjust his game to succeed. Yes his passing has been better, but mainly in the red zone... he hasn't thrown a ton of yards, but has thrown a lot of tds. I'm hopeful he adjusts, I like the kid a lot. But so far the system has adjusted to him, not the other way around.
Lamar and the Ravens offense will continue to evolve IMO. Looks like Roman is coming back. Hollywood Brown, he was barely healthy all year he will add a huge dimension to the team. They could use another big body receiver as well outside of the TEs.
They do. They need a big slants/stops/comebacks etc. kind of chain moving receiver. Chase Claypool would be a good fit and so would my boy Michael Pittman.
In retrospect, the Jets should have done exactly what I suggested in the Kirk Cousins discussions...sign Bridgewater, and if the QB you absolutely wanted wasn’t there at 6 trade back, get extra picks and take Jackson. Of course, we’d have fucked him up but it would have been the smart move.
